Jerry Hildebrand to leave Pacific

Nov 18, 2013

Jerry Hildebrand, director of the Global Center for Social Entrepreneurship, plans to step down from his post at the end of the semester.

Hildebrand joined Pacific's School of International Studies in the fall of 2006. He founded Pacific's Global Center for Social Entrepreneurship, which has provided students an opportunity to explore ways to make a positive, sustainable difference in developing countries through social entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, the center introduced such initiatives as Ambassador Corps, which has funded more than 55 social entrepreneurship internships in 30 developing countries.

The center also created opportunities for Pacific students to participate in Clinton Global Initiative conferences, led expeditions to Cuba and Cairo, brought prominent social entrepreneurs to speak on campus, sponsored TedX, offered Hunger Banquets, Grassroots Soccer and other events, and promoted Fair Trade University efforts.

"I want to thank Jerry for his many positive contributions to Pacific and to our students," said Provost Maria Pallavicini.

Pallavicini emphasized that Pacific's commitment to regional, national and international studies experiences for students will continue. With Vice President for Student Life Patrick Day, she will lead campus discussions in the coming year about the future of the Global Center and international education at Pacific.

Hildebrand said he is proud of the hands-on opportunities that Pacific students have had through the center to become global citizens who are well prepared to meet the challenges of a fast and furiously changing world dynamic.

"My mandate eight years ago was to introduce the emerging new field of social entrepreneurship to all units of the Pacific community, and we have made an impressive down payment on that charge," Hildebrand said. "The Global Center is now recognized as one of the most pre-eminent university centers of innovative experiential learning in the country. Although it is still a work in progress, Pacific students have become recognized change agents who are prepared to make a world of difference."